Baby starling with its 
soft downy feathers 
- fluffy fragile thing -

It waits on the ground 
only a week from 
leaving its nest

Hungry mouth 
always in need of 
nourishment

Greater than being sequestered 
no longer in its shell and 
strong enough to walk

awkward 
but tuned to its parents 
its survival depends on it

what seems fragile and tiny 
has already overcome so many feats
It answers the call

Bursts disrupt the silence 
a happy reunion 
of chatter and feeding

Fledgling follows the call 
until the need for nourishment 
once again becomes too strong

All too quick 
the hungry mouths 
have not met its full

A growing baby bird 
demands it and its 
parents answer the call.